Well packer mechanism



Dec. 17, 1940.

jaiyul.

R. C. BAKER ET AL WELL PACKER MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet l EEUGEN C. 6AKER, CLAQENCEE. 3027; filo/WAS J 1. KAGAN,

abhor/W24 Dec. 17, 1940. R. c. BAKER ETAL WELL PACKER MECHANISM FiledJune 15, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fez/551v C. BAKER,

CLARENCE E. 5027;

M EAGAN,

THoMAs' Dec. 17, 1940. R, c BAKER ETAL 2,225,143

WELL PACKER MECHANISM Filed June 13, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s awe/MowEEuaEN C. BAKER,

CLARENCE E. .5027, 720M115 M. 3 464,

Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL PACKER MECHANISMApplication June 13, 1939, Serial No. 278,840 58 Claims. (o1. use-12)This invention relates to well packers and more particularly to packerscapable of being secured within well casings for performing variousfunctions therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wellpacker, such as a bridge plug, capable of being set accurately at anydesired point within a well casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packerthat can be simultaneously fully set within a well casing and releasedfrom a run-in string.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well packerreleasably connected to a runin string, disconnection of the stringinitiating automatic setting of the packer in the casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved devices'forsetting well packers within a casing. V

The invention has other objects that will become apparent from aconsideration of several of its embodiments shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming a part of the present invention. Theseembodiments will now be described in detail, but it is to be understoodthat such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense,since the scope of the invention is best described by the appendedclaims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figures 1 and 1a constitute a two-part longitudinal section through awell casing showing a well packer and its associated tripping andsetting apparatus in relative positions for being run in the casingprior to tripping and setting of the packer;

Figures 2 and 2a constitute a two-part longitudinal section similar toFigures 1 and 1a showing the arrangement of the elements after the'tripping and setting operation;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the packer in set condition withinthe well casing;

Figures 4, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively onlines 4-4, 5-5 and 6'-6 of Figures 1 and 1a;

Figure '7 is a partial longitudinal section of another embodiment of asetting device;

Figure 8 is transverse section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinalsection of another embodiment of a settingtool, illustrated in untripped condition;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the parts in trippedrelationship;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line I ll l ofFigure 9;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through a variant form of wellpacker and tripping device; and

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through still another form of wellpacker. 5

The well packer disclosed in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, is in the formof a bridge plug A releasably connected to a run-in string and adaptedto be set at any desired point within a casing B upon operation of asetting tool. The bridge plug includes a main body It] supporting setsof circumferentially arranged upper and lower slips H, 'II havinginterior tapered surfaces l2 cooperable with opposed tapered surfaces onoppositely directed slip expander cones l3, l3 integral- 3 1y orotherwise secured to the body. Each set of slips II is initially heldagainst its-cooperable cone andwithin a recess I4 formed in theperiphery of a rubber packing retainer l5 by an encircling tensionspring [6 seating within grooves i1 formed in the exterior of each slip.

Each set of slips H is urged longitudinally of its associated expandercone l3 by a helical spring l8 seating against a spring retainer l9threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to the main body of the packer.The other end of thesprlng engages aset ring seated within the baseportion 21 of a rubber packing 22, the latter element being secured tothe retainer by their respective interlocking flanges 23, 24. Althoughinitially prevented from elongating by suitable latch or pawl meanslater to be described, when released, the spring l8 will effect movementof the rubber packing and retainer longitudinally toward its associatedexpander cone l3 causing the retainer V IE to abut the slips and expandthem radially into engagement with the casing. In pursuing thismovement, the wall engaging portions of the rubber packing 22 will beforced radially into fluid tight engagement with the casing through thecooperation of its inturned flange 25 with a conical expander cone 26extending from the spring retainer l9.

This packing islnitially held from contact with the casing by adepending annular lip 21 on the spring retainer engaging the outer endof the packing. It will be apparent that longitudinal movement of thepacking 22 with respect to the body II] will cause disengagement of theend ,of the packing from the lip and permit its positive eXpansionagainst the walls of the casing, due to the cooperation between itsinturned flange 25 and the axial cam 26 extending from the springretainer.

The upper and lower sets of slips II, II and screwed in the terminal endof the main body to facilitate assembly and complete the lowerenclosure.

The upper end of the hollow packer body l0 has an opening permittingpassage of the holding and tripping mechanism C employed in setting thebridge plug A at a desired point within the casing. This trippingmechanism consists of a pair of crossing trip levers 30,30 having latchnoses or holding pawls 3| initially extending through openings 32 in themain body, with inclined surface 33 of the pawls engageable with theends of extended retainer portions 34 and thereby preventing the helicalsprings |8 from expanding and setting the slips and rubber packings inthe manner aforementioned. The levers 30, are fulcrumed upon a suitablepin 35 extending through a slot 36 in a trip rod 31 and secured to wallsof a sleeve 38 surrounding the rod. These levers are guided for movementto 30 and from their latching positions by the sides of an extendedguide slot 39 in the trip rod aligned with slots or windows 40 throughthe walls of the sleeve. It will be noted that each trip lever is of thefirst class with its pawl 35 ends 3| extending in opposite directions toengage respectively with upper and lower retainer portions 34. Asassurance that the slips and their associated operating mechanism willbe held initially in retracted positions, a pair of 40 levers isemployed, providing a balanced restraint against spring expansion andsmoothness in operation of the device as a whole.

The trip levers 30, 30 are initially held in,f

tween the detent and its guide 43. This spring is under low tension topermit the ends 3| of the trip levers to be moved inwardly under the 55influence of springs l8 and other parts (later described), to lower thedetent from engagement with the levers through the cooperation betweenthe inner surfaces on the pawls and the opposed inclined sides 41, 41 ofthe detent head. 60 However, it is to be noted that the lower leverpawls are provided with initially parallel surfaces 48, 48 of slightlongitudinal extent cooperable with parallel sides 49, 49 on the detenthead depending from its inclined surfaces. The 65 engagement betweenthese parallel surfaces furnishes a positive stop holding the levers 30in latching engagement with the retainers l5 against the action of theslip setting springs I8, which tend to collapse the levers inwardly byreason 7 of the inclination 33 of the pawl noses. Upon movement of thetrip rod 37 and'its detent 4| downwardly to a slight extent, itsparallel holding surfaces 49, 49 will be disengaged from the cooperablelever surfaces, allowing the setting 75 springs to swing the ends of thelevers inwardly toward one another out of engagement with the retainersand continue sliding of the slips longitudinally on their cones 3 intoengagement with the casing. When fully engaged, the extended retainerportions can be received within annular pockets 50'provided in the bodyadjacent the smaller ends of the cones.

As assurance that the trip levers 30 will be moved inwardly out oflatching engagement with the retainer portions 34, a pin 5| is securedto 10 the trip rod extending through oppositely directed slots 52, 53 inthe trip levers. Downward movement of the trip rod will swing the leversinwardly toward each other by virtue of the camming efiect of the rodpin 5| against the 1d sides of the inclined slots 52, 53. However, it isto be noted that before the levers can be swung inwardly the parallelsides 49 on the detent head must first be removed from abuttingassociation with the companion sides 48' on the lever 20 ends. In theinstant case, removal of the parallel detent sides from such associationbefore the rod pin can force the levers towards one another is permittedby forming the slots 52, 63 of a greater width than the diameter of thepin 5|, 20 in efiect producing a lost motion connection between the triprod 31 and levers 30, allowing lonitudinal movement of the rod to asumcient extent to slide the parallel detent sides out of engagementwith the levers before the pin 5| for- 30 cibly engages the sides of thelever slots.

Downward movement of the rod can be initiated in any suitable manner. Inthis specification several devices are hereinafter described, each ofwhich is cooperable with a trip anvil or abutment 54 secured to the triprod 31 and extending in opposite directions through guide slots 55 inthe sleeve 38, the ends of the slots engaging with the anvil todetermine limiting positions of the trip rod. With the anvil in up- 4permost position, the trip levers 30 are in latched position as regardstheir associated retainers l5 and when in lowermost position against theends of the slots, the trip levers are in retracted position, ,free fromthe openings 32 in the main body and entirely confined within the tripsleeve 38" to permit withdrawal of the entire trip device C from themain body l0 of the packer after the slips have been set.

The specific setting tool disclosed in Figures 5 1 to 6, inclusive, isdesigned for operation in connection with a wire line 56 by means ofwhich'the entire bridge plug A, trip lever device C and setting tool Dcan be lowered to the desired point in the well casing B. The upper 55end of the trip sleeve 38 has a sinker bar 51 piloted therewithin andsecurely attached thereto by means of welding material 58 or the like.The upper end of the sinker bar is threadedly secured within a. hollowsocket 59 receiving the 60 lower end of the wire line 56, the terminalportion of this line being unstranded for reception within an enlargedbore 60 in the socket. Disconnection between the line and socket isprevented by threading a locking screw 6| within the socket in such amanner as to maintain the wire strands outwardly against the confines ofthe enlarged bore.

An inertia trip body 62 of ample weight is slidable upon the rope socketand sinker bar, being held initially from engagement with the trip anvil54 by a plurality of latches 63 pivotally mounted within guide slots 64in the trip body upon pins 65 and having inwardly extending fingers 66engaging the upper end of the rope socket 59 under the influence oilatch leaf springs iii secured to the body and engaging the free ends ofthe latches.

Whenever it is desired to run a well packer. such as a bridge plug,within a casing to be set therein, the bridge ring A is initiallyarranged with its springs i8 held as by the cap screws 58 receivedwithin threaded holes 88a and engaging the main body it, and its slipsii in retracted position, with the free ends of the rubber packings 22confined inwardly by the lips 27 extending from the spring retainers.The trip mechanism C is positioned within the packer with the pawl endsat of its latch levers extending through the body openings32 andengaging the ends of the extended retainer portions 34 to hold the slipsprings under compression. When set in this position, the detent portionll of the trip rod is fully engaged with the lowerv ends of the levers30 and the anvil 54 is in its uppermost position within the longitudinalslots 55 in the trip sleeve 38. The cap screws can then be removed. 1

The wire line 56 is confined within its socket 59 by the lock ti and iscoupled to the trip sleeve 38 through the agency of the sinker bar 51and threaded and welded interconnections previously described.Thereafter, the tripping weight 62 is positioned around the wire line,the rope socket and sinker bar, with its latches 63 engaging the upperend of the socket 59 and holding it in raised and ineiiective position.

After the entire mechanism has been positioned at the proper level inthe casing B, a godevil 69 is lowered on the wire line (see Figures 2,2a), travelling downwardly by gravity until it reaches a position withinthe weight body 52 where its lower end engages the inclined faces on thelatches 66 and moves them on their pivots out of engagement with theupper end of the rope socket. Upon becoming disengaged, the weight willfall upon the trip anvil 54 and move it with its associated trip rod 31downwardly to retract the latch levers from the packing retainers, asaforementioned, permitting the springs l8 to expand and set theslips'and packings' against the casing. In moving through the weight 62,any fluid displaced by the go-devil can exit through the ports 10 in thehollow weight so as to present no impedance to movement of the go-devilto complete latch disengaging position.

It is to be noted that tripping of the levers and setting of the slipsalso effects a disconnection between the .packer A and the trippingmechanism, permitting withdrawal of the tripping device C and settingtool D from the casing B. It is preferred, however, to employ a shearscrew H at the upper part of the spring retainer engaging the top of arelease ring 12 welded or otherwise secured to the trip sleeve 38. Theseparts prevent complete disconnection between the sleeve 38 and thebridge plug A upon disconnection of the trip levers, serving as a safetyfactor in the event that the latter parts are released and the slips donot set properly. Should this condition occur the well packer can stillbe withdrawn from the casing. due to the associapleted by lowering orpumping a bridging ball '13 down the casing to seating and sealingassociation with the top of the main body (see Figure 3).

The security with which the bridge plug is held and sealed within thecasing is increased by the action of fiuid under pressure upon theoppositely disposed cup-shaped packings 22, tending to force them towardone another and correspondingly urge the slips it further along theirexpander cone faces into firmer gripping engagement with the casing.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, thetripping mechanism C and bridge plug A are controlled by a go-devildevice acting directly on the trip plunger 31. In place of lowering themechanism to a desired point in the casing at the end of a wire line, astring of tubing 14, or the like, is used, being coupled to a sub '!5whose lower end is threaded to the upper portion of the trip sleeve 38with the trip plunger extending through the sub into communication withthe interior of the tubing. A go-devil 16 of suitable construction islowered through the tubing until it engages the plunger 31 and moves itdownwardly to a position limited by contact between the trip anvil 54and the lower ends of its guide slots 55, releasing the trippingmechanism C and permitting the helical springs l8, l8to set the slipsand packing sleeves, as previously described. Thereafter, the trippingmechanism can be removed with the tubing 14, leaving the bridge plug inplace. To prevent the pulling of a wet job, bleeder ports I1 areprovided through the sub for fluid to drain" from the interior of thetubing upon its elevation.

In Figures 9, and 11, a hydraulically operated setting device isemployed in connection with the bridge plug and its associated latchingmechanism. The assembled arrangement of parts is run in on a string oftubing 18 connected to the upper end of a sub 19 which, in turn, isthreaded onto the trip sleeve with the trip rod or plunger 31 extendingwithin a chamber formed in the .sub. The trip rod 31 is movabledownwardly upon being engaged by a plunger 80 slidable within the sub,but initiallyrestrained against movement by a shear screw 8| securing ofthe latches 30, 30 and the setting of the bridge plug A in the-samemanner as described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. Whenmoved to its lowermost position, the upper end of the slidable plunger80 will be positioned below annular spaces 84 communicating with bleederports 85 opening through the sub. This will permit fluid to pass fromthe tubing as it is raised in the casing on coming out of the hole.

As assurance that the plunger 80 will not move upwardly to close theannular spaces 8|, a latch 86 is provided in the sub, being urged intooperative position over the top of the plunger by a spring 81 within thebody. As soon as the plunger is lowered below the guiding portion 19a ofthe sub, the spring 81 will position the latch over its upper end toprevent its--return movement.

A modified form of well packer is shown in Figure 12, wherein only anupper set of slips ll and cup-shaped packing 22 is employed for settingthe packer within the casing. The cone expander 13 for causing radialmovement of the upper set of slips terminates adjacent its larger endand threadedly receives a guide 88 closing its terminal portion.

' The construction and mode of operation of the trip mechanism isessentially the same as described in connection with the other forms ofinvention. However, a change has been made in the tripping levers 89,89, by fulcruming them on a pivot pin 35 fastened to the trip sleeve 38,from which they-extend downwardly with their latches or pawls 90insertable through openings 32 in the main body of the packer intoengagemerit with the ends of the rubber retainers l5. Thus, it isapparent that whereas the end portions 33 of the pawls engage with theretainers in the Figures 1 and 2 construction, in the present instance,the retainers I 5 engage with an outer inclined side surface "9| on eachlatch inclined inwardly and upwardly from its end.

- The well packer A is set in position through downward movement of thetrip rod 31 and the tripping mechanism C released therefrom in the samemanner as described in connection with the other embodiments. settingtool and tripping mechanism removed, the packer can be utilized forvarious purposes such as a bridge builder in the shooting of wells. Abridge can be formed above the packer by placing thereupon a suflicientquantity of sand or the like, which will serve as a cushioning devicefor concentrating the explosive force at the intended region.

The packer shown in Figure 12 is expanded into engagement with thecasing by fluid pressure directed downwardly. In the form illustrated inFigure 13, the slips II are still set upon their downward movement underthe influence of the compressed spring "I, but the spring retainer l9and rubber l5 are interchanged, with the latter holding the base portion2| of the packing cup 22 in comparatively fixed relation with respect tothe main body-of the packer, and the former abutting the slips II andhaving an annular lip 92 initially retaining the free end of thepacking.

Release of the tripping levers will produce spring movement of thespring retainer l9 down wardly to set the slips and at the same timewill cause the ain'al cam 26 integral with this retainer to contact theinturned flange 25 at the lower end of the packing sleeve and force itinto engagement with the walls of the casing. The sealing effectivenessof this sleeve against the casing will be' increased upon application ofpressure originating below the packer. The manner of setting this packerand releasing the' tripping mechanism is'the same as described inconnection with the other embodiments, and particularly with Figure 12.v g I 'By' means of the various arrangements described, the bridge plugcan be set at any desired point within the casing accurately andsecurely; "Accurate setting is assured since the mode ofsetting theslips andcup packlngs is not dependent upon any movement of the mainbody of the packer, as in prior art constructions. The

Movement of the main body is not required. It

After being set, and thebody for engagement with such casing, and

means for substantially simultaneously moving said sets with respect toeach other longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagementwith said casing.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered.

in a well casing, sets of retracted means carried by said body forengagement with such casing, and means for substantially simultaneouslymoving said sets toward each other longitudinally of said body andtransversely into engagement v with said casing.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,retracted means carried by said body'for engagement with such casing,normally restrained spring means adapted to move said retracted meanslongitudinally' of said body into engagement with said casing, and meansmovable longitudinally of said Wire line for releasing said spring meansto allow its movement of said retracted means.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing,means constantly tending to move said retracted means longitudinally ofsaid bodyinto engagement with said casing, releasable means preventingsuch movement, and means movable longitudinally of said wire'line forreleasing said releasable means.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing,means constantly tending to move said retracted means into engagementwith said casing, means preventing such movement, and means containedwithin said body while being lowered in said casing and movable withrespect thereto to release said preventing means and permit saidretracted means to engage said casing.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end ofa wire line,slips carried bysaid body for engagement with such casing, meanscontinuously tending to urge said slips toward engagement with saidcasing, latch means holding said means in ineffective position, andmeans movable longitudinally of said wire line with respect to saidlatch means for releasing the same to permit said first-mentioned -meansto engage said slips with said casing.

'7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, spring meansurging said slips toward engagement with said casing, means for holdingsaid spring means under compression and in ineflective-position, andmeans movable longitudinally of said wire line for releasing saidholding means to permit said spring means to expand and move said slipstoward casing engaging position.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried bysaid body for engagement with said casing, and means for substantiallysimultaneously moving said slips longitudinally of said body andtransversely into engagement with said casing.

9. An apparatus oi the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with saidcasing, normally restrained spring means-for moving said slips towardeach other into engagement with said casing, and means movablelongitudinally of said wire line for releasing said spring means toallow its'movement of said slips,

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower cones fixed tosaid bodyupper and lower slips carried by said body and engageablerespectively with said upmr and lower cones, and spring means for movingsaid slips along said cones into engagement with said casing 11. Anapparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, upper and lower cones secured to said body,upper'and lower slips carried by said body and engageaole respectivelywith said upper and lower cones, spring means for moving said upper andlower slips along said cones into engagement with said casing means forholding said spring means under compression and in inmeans for releasingsaid holding means to permit said spring means to expand and move saidslips and packing means toward casing engaging position.

13. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing-slips and packing means carriedby said body for engagement with such casing, means for expanding saidpacking means into engagement with said casing, means constantly tendingto move said slips longitudinally of said body into engagement withsaidcasing and said packing means along its expanding means into engagementwith said casing, releasable means preventing such movement, and meansfor releasing said releasable means to permit said slip moving means tomove said slips toward casing engaging position and said packing meansalong its expanding means.

14. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carriedby said body for engagement with such casing, means constantly tendingto move said slips and packing means longitudinally of said body intoengagement with said casing, and an expander carried by said body forpositively moving said packing means radially into engagement with saidcasing upon such longitudinal movement.

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, a cone secured to said body,slips engageable with said cone, packing means surrounding said body andengageable with said slips, a conical spring retainer contactable withsaid packing means and secured to said body, and a, spring between saidretainer and packing means tending to move said packing meanslongitudinally of said retainer into sealing contact with said casingand said slips along said cone into engagement with said casing.

16. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, a packing carried by said body,a conical expander engageable with said packing,

and means for relatively separating said expander and packing to movethe latter into sealing en gagement with said casing.

.17. An apparatus of the character described comprisinga packer bodyadapted to be lowered ina well casing, a cup-shaped packing carried bysaid body, a conical expander engageable with. the free end oi saidpacking, and means for rela-- tively separating said expander andpacking to move the free end of the latter into sealing engagement withsaid casing,

18. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted tobe lowered in a, well casing, a packing carried by said body, and a conical expander positioned within said packing while in retracted position,said packing being forced outwardly to casing engaging position uponrelative separating movement between said cone and pacmng.

19. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, a packing carried by said body and havingone end free to be expanded laterally, a generally frusto-conicalexpander positioned within said packing with its outer surfaceconverging toward said free end, the free end of said packing beingforced laterally to casing engaging position upon -relative: separatingmovement between said cone and packing.

20. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted tobelowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and havingone end free for lateral expansion, a generally frusto-conical expanderpositioned within said packing with its outer surface converging towardsaid free end, an inturned flange at said free end adapted to slidealong said frusto-conical surface upon relative separating movementbetween said cone and packing to force said packing toward sealingengagement with said casing.

21. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and hav--ing one end free for lateral expansion, 2. generally frusto-conicalexpander fixed to said body and positioned within said packing with itsouter surface converging toward said free end, and means for moving saidpacking on said body to separate said cone and packing and force saidfree end to casing engaging position.

22. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and havingone end fixed thereto and its other end free for lateralexpansion, agenerally frusto-conical expander slidable on said body and positionedwithin said packing with its outer surface converging toward the freeend of the packing, and means for moving said cone on said body toeffect separation between it and said packing to force the free end tocasing engaging position. A

23. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carriedby said body, means for moving said slips and packing means intoengagement with such casing comprising a frusto-conical expanderpositioned within said packing means with its outer surface convergingtoward the free end of the packing means.

24. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, slipsand packing means carriedby said body, a frusto-conical expander for moving said slips intoengagement with said casing, a second frusto-conical expander for movingsaid packing means into engagement with said casing, the angles ofinclination of the .outer surfaces of said frusto-conical expandersbeing substantially equal, whereby said slips and packing means willcontact the casing at substantially the same time.

25. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carriedby said body, respective irusto-conical expanders engageable with saidslips and packing means, and common means for relatively moving saidslips and packing means longitudinally of their respective expandersinto engagement with said casing.

26. An apparatus of the character described I including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, cones fixed to said body, slipsengageable with one of said cones and a packing confining and engageablewith the other cone, the outer surface of said other cone converging inthe direction of the free end of said packing, and common means forsimultaneously moving said slips and packing lengthwise of theirrespective cones into contact with said casing.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 26, the angles of inclination ofthe outer surfaces of said cones being substantially equal.

28. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, meanstending to shift said means into engagement with said casing, means forrestraining said shifting means, instrumentalities slidable within saidbody for releasing said restraining means, and means movable withrespect to said wire line for'initiating releasing movement of saidinstrumentalities. 29. An apparatus of the character described includinga packer body adapted to be lowered in a-well casing on the lower end ofa wire line, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing,means tending to shift said means into engagement with said casing,latch means for restraining said shifting means, a device slidablewithin said body for positively retracting said latch means and meansmovable with respect to said wire line for initiating retractingmovement of said device.

30. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line,means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, latch meansfor preventing engagement of said means with said casing, a sleevemounting said latch means, a device slidable in eflective position, andmeans movable with respect to said wire line for initiating sliding ofsaid device in said sleeve.

31. An apparatus of the character described including a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body foren-,

.gagement with such casing, latch means for preventing engagement ofsaid means with said casing, a sleeve mounting said latch means, adevice slidable in said sleeve for moving said latch means toinefiective position, and a detent oarried by said device for holdingsaid latch in effective position.

32. An apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to belowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagement withsuch casing, means including latch instrumentalities for preventingengagement of said means with said casing, a sleeve mounting said latchinstrumentalities, a rod slidable in said sleeve, a pin and slotconnection between said rod and latch instrumentalities, for moving thelatter to inefl'ective position, and a detent carried by said rod forholding said latch instrumentalities in effective position.

33. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagementwith such casing, means tending to shift said means into engagement withsaid casing, latch means for restraining said shifting means, saidshifting means tending to move said latch means to ineffective position,and detent means for holding said latch means in efiective position.

34. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagementwith such casing, spring means tending to shift said means intoengagement with said casing, a latch adapted to be moved to ineflectiveposition by said spring means, and a detent for holding said latch ineffective position whereby to secure said spring means in energizedcondition.

35. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said bodyfor engagement with such casing, spring means tending to shift saidupper slips into engagement with said casing, spring means tending toshift said lower slips into engagement with said casing, a latch adaptedto be moved to ineflective position by both of said spring means, and adetent respect to said spring means to maintain them in energizedcondition.

I 36. In an apparatus of the character described,

a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lowerslips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, a pair ofspring operated means tending respectively to shift said upper slips andlower slips into engagement with said casing, a pair of crossing latcheseach engageable with diagonally opposite portions 01 said pair of springoperated means and adapted to be moved thereby to ineffective position,and a detent for holding said latchesin efi'ective position with respectto said spring operated means to prevent their setting the slips.

37. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said bodyfor engagement with such casing, a pair of spring operated means tendingrespectively't'o shift said upper slips and lower slips into engagementwith said casing, a pair of crossing latches each engageable withdiagonally opposite portions of said pair of spring operated means, adetent for holding said latches in efiective position with respect tosaid spring operated means to prevent their setting the slips, and meansfor moving said latches to ineflective position to permit said springoperated means to set the slips.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted tobe lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said bodyfor engagement with such casing, a pair of spring operated means tendingrespectively to shift said upper slips and lower slips into engagementwith said casing, a sleeve within said body, a pair of crossing latchespivotally carried by said sleeve,

each latch being engageable with diagonally opposite portions of saidpair of spring operated means, a rod slidable in said sleeve, a detenton said rod for holding said. latches in effective p0-.

sition with respect to said spring operated means to prevent theirsetting the slips, and a pin and slot connection between said rod andeach latch f for moving the latter to inefiective position per,-.mitting said spring operated means' to set the slips.

of a wire line, retracted means carried by said body for engagement witha casing, means for moving said retracted means into engagement withsaid casing, means within said body restraining such movement, andinertia means movable with respect to said wire line for rendering saidrestraining means ineffective.

41. A well packer including a packer body, retracted means carried bysaid body for engagement with a casing, means for moving said retractedmeans into engagement with said casing, means embodying a rod slidablewithin said body restraining such movement, and a weight cooperable withsaid rod for rendering said restraining means ineffective.

42. A tool for setting a well packer including a weight, means forretaining said-weight in in-- effective position, and means movablewithin said weight for releasing said retaining means to permit coactionof said weight with said well packer.

43. A tool for setting a. well packer adapted to be lowered in a casingon a run-in line, including a weight surroundingsaid line, means forcoupling said weight to said line, and means movable within said weightfor releasing said coupling means.

44. A tool for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casingon a run-in line, including a weight surrounding said line, a latchcoupling said weight to said line, and a go-devil on said line movablewithin said weight to release said latch.

45. A tool for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casingon a run-in line, including a weight surrounding said line, a latchpivoted to saidweight and having an inwardly directed portion forcoupling it to said line, and a 39. A well packer including a packerbodygo-devil on said line movable within said weight to engage saidportion and release said latch.

46. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in acasing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including an enclosureadapted to be coupled to said tubing, a tripping device for controllingthe setting of said packer, and a slidable member within said enclosurefor operating said tripping device.

47. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in acasing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including an enclosureadapted to be coupled to said tubing, a tripping device i'orcontrollingthe setting of said packer coupled to said enclosure, and means'responsive to fluid pressure within said tubing for operating saidtripping device.

I 48. A mechanism ior setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in acasing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including a trippingdevice for controlling the setting of said packer, an enclosure coupledto said deviceand tubing, a

member slidable in said enclosurein response to fluid pressure withinsaid "tubing for operating said tripping device, and means insaidenclosure permitting bleeding of fluid from said-tubing andenclosure upon movement of said member to full operating position.

49. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in acasing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including a trippingdevice for controlling the setting of said packer,

an enclosure coupled to said device and tubing, a

plunger slidable in said enclosure, frangible means connecting saidplunger and enclosure to prevent sliding movement of the former, atripping ball adapted to seat on said plunger to allow fluid underpressure in said tubing to rupture said frangible means and move saidplunger against said tripping device to set the packer, I,

said enclosure being provided with a fluid passage permitting exit offluid from said tubing upon movement of said plunger against saidtripping device, and a detent for holding the plunger in operativeposition with respect to said device.

50. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be connected to a running-in string and lowered into a wellcasing, sets of retracted means carried by said body for engagement withsuch casing, and separate means' for independently and-simultaneouslymoving each of said sets with respect. to each other longitudinally ofsaid body and transversely into engagement with said casing.

Y 51. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in .a well casing, sets of retracted means carriedby said body for engagement with such casing, and separate means forindependently and simultaneously moving each of said sets toward eachother longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement withsaid casing.

52. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered means for substantially simultaneously moving atleast two of said'sets longitudinally with respect to each other intoengagement with said casing.

54. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a we] casing, sets of retracted means carriedby sai body for engagement with such casing, and means for substantiallysimultaneously moving at least two of said sets toward each other andtransversely into engagement with said casing.

55. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried bysaid body for engagement with said casing, and means for substantiallysimultaneously moving both said upper and lower slips longitudinallywith respect to each other into engagement with said casing.

56. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer-bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried bysaid body for engagement with such casing, separate packing meanscarried by said body above and below said upper and lower slipsrespectively,

and means for urging said slips and packing means toward engagement withsaid casing.

57. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried bysaid body for engagement with such casing, separate packing meanscarried by said body above and below said upper and lower slipsrespectively, and spring means for substantially simultaneously urgingsaid slips and packing means toward engagement with said casing.

58. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer bodyadapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried bysaid body for engagement with such casing, separate packing meanscarried by said body aboveand below said upper and lower slipsrespectively, and spring means for substantially simultaneously urgingsaid slips toward engagement with said casing, saidspring means alsobeing adapted to relatively move said upper and lower packing meanstoward each other and into engagement with said casing.

REUBEN C. BAKER. CLARENCE E. BURT. THOMAS M. RAGAN.

